To ensure optimum driving economy and minimum CO2
emissions, Kumho has used a number of cutting edge design tools. The tyre
compound uses nano materials to ensure ultra low rolling resistance without
any sacrifice in wet grip or wear. Tread profile and side wall section have
been optimised to ensure the blend of enhanced off-road ability and
excellent on-road handling that Nissan designers specified for the
development.

British input to a British product The development of the tyres has been
orchestrated by Rob Dolton of Kumho’s UK-based European Technical
Centre (KETC), which has worked on the project in conjunction with Nissan
Design Europe for the last five months. The Qazana is a preview of
Nissan’s new small crossover concept that will be built at the
company’s Sunderland plant in the north of England.

Concept tyres for concept cars

Kumho is frequently called upon to design
and produce prototype tyres for the concept cars of the world’s major
motor manufacturers. The work is spearheaded by the company’s R&D
headquarters in Korea, operating in conjunction with its technical
facilities in the UK and the US.

Rob Dolton is the only qualified vehicle designer employed within the
tyre industry and is retained specifically to explore future technologies
for road and track vehicles, and the tyres they run on. Other concept
vehicles on which Kumho’s innovative technology has recently been
showcased include the:

Said KETC’s managing director Roger Jenkins, “Concept
vehicles are great platforms for inspiration – a commodity we should
make the most of, particularly in these difficult times for the automotive
industry. KETC relished the opportunity to work closely with Nissan on this
concept programme and it gave us the ideal platform to demonstrate the
considerable portfolio of skills and invention we can share with the motor
industry.”